hit-and-run

[ hit-n-ruhn ]

adjective

1. guilty of fleeing the scene of an accident or injury one has caused, especially a vehicular accident, thereby attempting to evade being identified and held responsible:

   a hit-and-run driver.

2. involving or resulting from such action or conduct:

   hit-and-run fatalities.

3. Baseball. pertaining to or noting a play in which, to get a head start, a base runner begins to run to the next base as the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter, who must try to hit it in order to protect the runner.
4. marked by taking flight immediately after a quick, concentrated attack:

   a hit-and-run raid.

verb (used without object)

, hit-and-ran, hit-and-run·ning.

1. Baseball. to attempt or execute a hit-and-run play.

hit-and-run

adjective

1. 1. involved in or denoting a motor-vehicle accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping to give assistance, inform the police, etc
   2. ( as noun )

      a hit-and-run

2. (of an attack, raid, etc) relying on surprise allied to a rapid departure from the scene of operations for the desired effect

   hit-and-run tactics

3. baseball denoting a play in which a base runner begins to run as the pitcher throws the ball to the batter

Other Words From

• hit-and-runner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hit-and-run¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"Then they strike quickly, using a hit-and-run approach with potential victims."

From BBC

Then it highlights “small groups of rioters… engaged in violent hit-and-run actions targeting Israeli supporters and nightlife crowd” in locations across the city centre.

From BBC

A man was arrested in Beverly Hills on Thursday evening on suspicion of stealing a car and injuring four bystanders in a hit-and-run near a holiday tree-lighting event, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, today Knight is in prison for a hit-and-run, while Combs is awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which he denies.

From BBC

On Thursday night, youths on scooters criss-crossed the Dutch capital in "hit-and-run" attacks on Maccabi supporters who were visiting for the Europa League match, authorities said.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrest
• assault
• break in
• capture
• incursion
• invasion
• onslaught
• sortie
• surprise attack
• sweep